Rotary printing press



Dec. 30, 1941. c. s. CRAFTS 2,268,191

ROTARY PRINTING PRESS Filed July 24, 1940 10 Sheets-Sheet l I W ATTORNEYS 1941' c. s. CRAFTS 2,268,191

ROTARY PRINTING PRESS Filed July 24, 1940 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 ,wmi

(1 BY :2 g ATTORNEYS Dec. 30, 1941. c. s. CRAFTS ROTARY PRINTING PRESS Filed July 24, 1940 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 C. S. CRAFTS ROTARY PRINTING PRESS l0 Sheets-Sheet 4 V Mi Filed July 24, 1940 LIP] Dec; 30, 1941.

i Fit Dec. 30, 1941. 5! CRAFTS 2,268,191

ROTARY PRINT ING PRES S Filed July 24, 1940 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 7 Dec. 30, 1941. c. s, CRAFTS 2,268,191

ROTARY PRINTING PRES 5 Filed July 24, 1940 l0 Sheets-Sheet 6 an??? BYfiLhn! ATT RNEYS Dec. 30, 1941. c. s. CRAFTS ROTARY PRINTING PRESS ,10 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed July 24, 1940 Dec. 30, 1941. s,;RAFTs f 2,268,191

J ROTARY PRINTING FRESS' Filed July 24, 1940 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 1365.30, 1941. cs, CRAFTS 2268,191

ROTARY PRINTING PRESS Filed July 24, 1940 l0 Sheets-Sheet 9 Dec. 30, 1941. c. s. CRAFTS ROTARY PRINTING PRESS Filed July 24, 1940 10 Sheefs-Sheet 10 (FM! 2 [a ZZT QRNEYS Patented b am. 1941 2,268,191

Qumran STATES. PATENT oFFlcE I mm1-ms Curtis s. crma'oaxmm, assim r Goss -Printing Press Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois of a plate cylinder;

line I-|5'of Figure 14;

. Application m 24, 1940, semi No. 341,152

' .9 Claims. (01. 101-221) The presentinvention relates to new and use:

ful improvements in rotary printing presses and more particularly to a novel and improved nonstop rotary fudge press or printing attachment.

Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part hereinafter and in part will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned by 5 practice with the invention, the same being realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities-and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts,

constructions, arrangements, combinations and improvements herein shown and described.

The accompanying drawings, referred to herein and constituting a part hereof, illustrate one embodiment of the invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

0f the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation, with certain parts omitted, of a typical and illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a detail side elevation, with certain parts in section, of the driving means for one of the two fudge cylinders} Figure 3 is a side elevation of the other end of the attachment shown in lflgure 1;

Figures 4 and 5 are sectional views taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1 and 5-5. of Figure 3; Figure 6 is a detail fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 6-8 of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken on the line 'l-''l of Figure 1; Figures 8,9 and 10 are fragmentary sectional views of the parts shown at the left of Figure 7 with these parts in their various operative positions; V

Figure 11 is a sectional view taken on the line |i--ll of Figure 1, the parts between the press frames being omitted Figure 12 is a detail'sectional view taken on the line l2-I2 of Figure 11:

Figure 13 is a vertical sectional view showing the relation of the printing cylinders to each other taken on the line ll-il of 5;

Figure 14 is a detailed sectional view taken on the line Il-i l, of Figure 4 and showing one end Figure 15 is a sectional view taken on the Figure 1c is a detail sectional view taken on line l6|6 of Figure 5 and showing one of two cooperatingclutch members;

Figure 17 is a similar view taken on, the line adapted for alternative cooperation with the l'l-l'lof Figure 5 and showing the other of the clutch members; I

Figures 18 and 21 are detail views of the rotary cam members for controlling the various parts of the fudge press; and

Figure 22 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view showing amodiflcation of the present invention.

The present invention has for its object the provision of an improved non-stop rotary fudge press in which means are provided for alternatively driving two plate-carrying cylinders and for moving them alternately into printing relation with a' cooperating printing cylinder. A further object of the invention is the provision of a novel and improved non-stop rotary fudge press in which interlocking means are provided for preventing careless or improper operationof the press such as might cause damage to its .operative parts. Still another object bf the invention is the provision ofan improved rotary fudge pressin which the impressions can be changed from one fudge to another while the press is operating at full speed, and with a minimum of wasted copies. 1

In accordance with the present and illustrative embodiment of the invention, the web of paper to be printed is passed over an impression cylinder before or after it has received the principal im ressions from the usual rotary printing co ple, and a pair of cylinder shafts are provided upon which one or more rotary printing cylinders may be adjustably positioned and impression cylinder, means being provided for lation withthe impression cylinder as the other altematlvely driving these printing cylinders in proper registering relation, and for moving one set of the printing cylinders out of printing reset of printing cylinders is moved into printing relation, thereby enabling the late news or other supplementary Pr nting matter to be plated on the inoperative set of printing cylinders while the press is being operated and other late news or supplementary printing matter is being printed by the other set of printing cylinders.

A single control means is preferably provided for gradually applyingthe driving force to the set of newly plated cylinders and for finally af-.

.fecting a positive and correctly registered driving connection thereto before the said cylinders are brought into impression position, and to then disengage from the driving force the other set of plate cylinders after shifted from the old to the newly plated cylinders. Other means are provided interlocked the impression has been.

hw tary impression with the single control means whereby the impression may be shiftedand printing contact established with one or'the other of the two sets of plate cylinders only when the single control means is in its middle position wherein both sets of plate cylinders are revolving at press speed and correctly registered with the running web.

Means are also provided for individually locking or holding either of the printing cylindlers against rotation so that the supplementary or late news printing plates may be changed on the cylinders which are not in operative relationship to the impressioncylinder.

' As illustratively embodied, the single control means comprises a crank, which, when rotated, causes certain cams associated therewith to es,- tablish the driving connection for the idle set of for driving the impression cylinder 30 in timed relation with the rest of the press and comprise a beveled gear 40 meshing with a bevel pinion 4| on shaft 42', and shaft 42 is rotatably mountedinthe bearing brackets 43 and 44 and is driven through bevel gears 46 from the main drive shaft 41. v

,Printing cylinders 3| and 32 are mounted respectively on shafts 49 and 50 and adjustably secured thereon so as to permit lateral adjustment for lateral registration with the space to be plate cylinders, first by engaging a yieldable or friction clutch so that the'cylinders are gradu-' ally brought up to approximate printing speed, for example 98% of printing speed, and finally engaging a single tooth positive clutch to complete the driving connection at full printing speed and accurate register. Further turning of the crank, after'the impression has been shifted from the one set of plate cylinders to the other, causes certain other vcams to declutch the drive to the plate cylinders which were shifted away from impressionposition. However, the plate cylinders which were disconnected from their drive may'continue to rotate by momentum or other causes and this may continue for some time and prove inconvenient from an operative standpoint. To overcome this effect and facilitate more rapid and efficient operation of the mechanism, braking 'means'are provided whereby the plate cylinders just shifted from impression position may rapidly be brought to rest so that plate changes may be made thereon immediately.

.When it is desired to shift from one printin printed on the web W. It is to be noted that, although the drawings illustrate a pair of printing cylinders mounted on each shaft 49 and 50, various other arrangements of cylinders maybe mounted thereon, such as a single cylinder of press ,width or more than two cylinders of the form shown in'the drawings.

The mounting, of shafts 49 and 50 in the side frames'34, 35 is such as to permit their movement, while rotating, toward or away from the impression cylinder 30. Since the shafts 49 and 50, are substantially identical a description of one is deemed suflicient, the corresponding parts of the other shaft being indicated by the same reference characters. Shaft 49 (and 50) is rotatably supported in'the side'frames 34, 35 by means of rotatable eccentric journals 5| wherein roller bearings 52, in which the shaft 49 is journaled, are mounted in the eccentric journals 5! on a difierent'axis from the axis of rotation of the'said eccentrics. Thus a simultaneous partial rotation of the eccentrics 5| will move the axis of the plate cylinder shaft 49 (or ill) toward or away from the impression cylinder 30.

Means are provided for alternatively moying the cylinders 3| and 3,2 into and out of printing cylinder to the'other this is accomplished by moving a lever which shifts the impression butcan be moved only when the crank controlling the drive has been moved to its mid-position.

Counting means are provided for individually totalizing the number of impressions by each set contact with impression cylinder 30 so that either of the printing cylindtrs is moved into printing contact as the other printing cylinder is moved away from the. impression cylinder. As embodied, each of the eccentrics 5| at each end of the printing cylinders 3| and "is provided with an arm Iiiextending therefrom. A handle 12 is pivotally mounted on. side frame '34 by means of a rotatable rod 13 which extends the width of of printing cylinders, and means are preferably provided for automatically connecting and disconnecting the totalizerswith their respective printing cylinders as the impression is shifted from one set of printingcylinders to the other,

so that itis possible to obtain an accurate account of the copies produced and wastage of copies through uncontrolled excess production is avoided. a

It will be understood that the foregoing general description, and the following detailed description as well, are exemplary and explanatory of the invention but are not restrictive thereof. I Referring now. in detail to the illustrativeembodiment of the invention as shown in-the accompanying drawings, the non-stop rotary fudge printing mechanism is shown as particularly adapted for use as an attachment to a high speed rotary printing press of conventional construction. The web ofpaper W which has been previously printed over the larger part of its surface and is to receive the supplementary orlate news. impression is passed around-an impression cylinder 30 and is printed the press and has secured to its other end a short lever 14. 1 On the one side of the press the eccentric arm so for the printing cylinders 3| and 32 are pivotally connected with an intermediate portion of the handle 12 by means of the turn buckles 16 each of which has one of its ends connected to the end of an eccentric arm 10 and its, other end connected to the adjacent side of the handle 12. At the other side of the press the eccentric arms 10 are similarly-connected to a short lever 14 by means of the turn buckles l6. Handle 12 and the lever 14 are interconnected for simultaneous movement by means of the rod 13 to which both of them are keyed, and as the handle is-moved from one position to another the lever 14 is moved to a similar extent, thereby rendering uniform the movement of the eccentrics 5| at each side of the press. A bracket 18'.

carried on frame 34, is provided with a pair of slots 19 and ailinterconnected by an arcuate surwith the late news or on either set, of print-'- ing cylinders-4|" or 32. Impression cylinder 30 is mounted for rotation between the side frames 34, 3? y means of its shaft 36 and suitable flour nals or other bearings 31. Means are provided I handleis moved from one position to the other,

one set of printing cylinders is moved away from the impression cylinder and form rollers as the other set of cylinders is movedtowards the impression cylinder and form rollers.

Means for arresting the free rotation of the plate cylinders 3| or'32 after they have been shifted oif impression position, and for holding them at rest during plate changing operations, are provided near each side frame at a' point convenient for operation. As embodied, each end of shafts 49 and 58 is provided, adjacent the inside face of the side frames 34, 35, with a brake drum 54. Brak shoes 55, pivoted at 55 on the side frame 34, 35, are in cooperative relation with brake drums 54 and provided with an arouate surface upon which is secured a brake lining 51 adapted to be pressed against the periphery of the brake drum.

Brake shoes 55 are normally held in released position by means of tension springs 59, while the brake may be applied by operation of a brake handle 58, one of which is associated with each brake shoe. Each brake handle 58 may be pivoted on a bracket 58, secured to the side frames 34, 35, and operatively connected to the free end of its brake shoe 54 by a link 58 Stop devices- 5I cooperate with the brak handles 58 which serve shaft 49, and stop pins 62 cooperate with the brake handles 58 which serve shaft 58, to limit the outward movement of the brake shoes 55. Thus it will be seen that, by a clockwise rotation of either brakehandle 58 associated with the shaft 49, braking action is applied to bring to rest the plate cylinders 3|, while a counter-clockwise rotation of either brake handle 58 associated with shaft 58 performs the same function for the plate cylinders 32.

Means are provided whereby the plate cylinders 3|, 32 may be driven by the impression cyl- 'inder 38 in timed and registered relation thereclutches provided to accomplish this are substantially identical on each of the shafts 49 and 58 a description of these members associated with shaft 49 will suflice for both shafts.

Rotatably mounted on the endof shaft 49 (and 58), extemallv'of the side frame as, is a spur gear 92 which meshes with the drive gear 98 and has the same pitch diameter as that gear so that a one to one speedmatio exists there- I between. Gear 92 may be formed in two'parts,

whereby certain adjustments maybe made for purposes of printing registration, and consists ,of a ring portion 93, uponwhich the gear teeth are formed. and a hub portion 94, upon which the toothed portion 93 may be clamped by plate and screws 95. The hub 94 is rota ahly supported and held in lateral alignment onthe end of shaft 49 by ball bearings 95, spacer ring 91, clutch hub 98 and retaining plate and screw.99. Thus hub portion 94 may be rotated-in relation-to the gear portion 93 upon loosening of clamp plate.

95 and when the desired relationship has been established the gear portion 93 and hub portion 94 may be clamped together again to act as a mitting the motion of gear 92 to the plate cylinders 3| (or 32) and for engaging the clutch,

so that the plate cylinders are in correct rota tive register with the impression cylinder 38 and web W whereby printing will occur in the provided space on the web. As embodied, the positive clutch comprises a segmental tooth I88, secured on the outer face of gear hub 94, and adapted to engage a single recess I8I' formed 10 in a ring I82 which is mounted on the inner face of a sliding clutch member I83. Clutch member I83 is slidably keyed, as by splines I84, on the clutch hub 98 which, in turn, is keyed by spline I85 on the endof shaft 49. The retaining plate 99 serves to limit the disengaging movement of clutch member I83. Thus, since there is provided only the one clutch drive tooth I88 in a fixed rotative relationship to the impression cylinder 38, and a corresponding single recess IN on the driven member I83 of the clutch, it is obvious that when the clutch is engaged the plate cylinders 3| (or 32) will always be in correct rotative relationship to th impression cylinder.

Means for actuating the sliding clutch memher I83 are provided and comprise a forked lever there is pivotally mounted a trunnion block II5 through which projects a reduced end H8 of a cam rod III. A compression spring II8 encircles the reduced end H6 between the outer face of trunnion block 5 and a collar II9 which is secured on: the end of the reduced portion H8.

A shoulder I28, formed by the junction of the reduced and II 5 with cam rod II'I, serves as the 48 is moved to the left, trunnion block I I5 and lever I88 are moved to the leftiFie. 5) to disengage the clutch, while the spring H8, as the cam rod- III is moved to the right, serves-to resiliently urge the clutch into engagement. r 7 Cam rod III is slidably supported at one end in the frame bracket I88 and extends to the other side of the press where it is slidably supported inframe bracket I2I. A cam'follower block I22 58 is secured upon the end of cam rod III and is forked so as to span and be guided by a cam shaft I23. Cam roller I24, pivotally mounted on follower block I22, is adapted to travel in a cam groove I25 formed in the adjacent face of cam I28, and the cam I28 is fixed on the cam shaft I23,'which is journaled at one end in the bracket I 2I, and at the other end in frame bracket I21 (see Figure 1). A second cam I25 is fixed on cam shaft I23 in operative relationship to the cam rod I" which is associated with the plate cylinder shaft 58, but the cam groove in this cam is so formed asto actuate its cam rod at a is shown as degrees (see Figs. 19 and 21).

Thus, a clockwise rotation of cam shaft I23 from the position shown in the drawings, will first-cause the cam I28 toengage the clutch I83 associated with shaft 49 Mean are provided whereby the platecylin To ders 3| or 32 may be driven from the impression operating element whereby when the cam rod different angular position of the cam shaft I23 from that of the groove incam I 26. In the'il-v lustrative embodiment this angular displacement member I83 associated with shaft 58 and then, after certain other actions to be described later, I I cause cam I25 to disengage the clutch member cylinder 30. from a position of rest to a speed a little less than that of the impression cylinder so that when the positive clutch I03 is engaged there will be little if any load shock produced 'as the speed is increased to full printing speed. Further means are provided so that, after positive clutch I03 has been engaged and the shaft 49 (or 50) brought to printing speed, the partial speed means above referred to are rendered inoperative until the positive clutch is again disen gaged.

As embodied, the spur gear 9|, which is mounted on the end of the impressionshaft 36-externally of the side frame 35, is adapted to mesh with a spur gear 92 carried upon the end of plate cylinder shaft 49 (and 50), and the ratio I of the pitch diameters of the spur gear 9| and the gear 92 is such that the latter is driven at a slightly slower speed; for example, 98% of printing speed, than impression cylinder gear 9I. Gear 92 is rotatably mounted upon a hub mem- Jer I3I by means of a bushing I32 and the hub I'3I in turn is rotatably molmted in fixed lateral position upon the shaft 49(and 50) by ball bearings I33, spacer ring I34 and clamp nut I35. Hub member I3I is provided, adjacent the outside face of gear I30, with a series of ratchet teeth I36 adapted to be driven only in the same direction in which gear I is driven. A pawl I38 is pivotally mounted upon a stud I39 secured in gear I30 and adapted to drive the hub'l3I as the gear I 30 rotates. The extreme outer portion I40 of the hub I3I comprises one member of a friction clutch HI and has slidablykeyed therein a series of friction plates I'42'adapted to engage under certain conditions a corresponding series of friction plates I43 which are slidably .keyed on the Means for shifting the clutch collar I45 to engage-and disengage the clutch I4I are provided and comprise a lever I50, the forked end I5I of which carries a split shift ring I52 having an internally extending flange adapted to engage a groove I53 in the clutch collar I45. Trunnions.

I54, mounted in the fork arms I5I of the lever I50, serve as the pivotal support forsplit ring' I52. Lever I is pivoted at'its lower end on a cross rod I55, which is supported by bracket arms I 56, I5I extending respectively from frame brackets I2I and I21, and held in lateral alignment by a pair of collars I58 pinned on cross rod I each side of the lever. A cam roller I60 is pivotally mounted midway on the lever I50 and adapted to engage a cam groove I6I formed in the adjacent faceof a cam I'62 mounted andkeyed on cam shaft I23. A pair of spaced arms I63 project laterally from the lever I50 which are adapted to span the cam shaft I23 to act "as ,additional guiding and aligning means. A'

cam I62, analogous to cam I62, is fixed on cam shaft I23 in operative relationship to the lever I 50 which is associated with the plate cylinder shaft 50, but the cam groove in cam I62 isso formed as to actuate its lever at a different angular position of .the cam shaft from that of the groove I6I in cam I62. As illustrated in the drawings this angular displacement is shown as 240 degrees, see Figs. 18 and 20.

Thus, a clockwise rotation '01 camshaft m from the position shown in' the drawings, will flrstcause the cam I62 to engage the friction clutch I4I associated with cylinder shaft 60 and then cause cam I62 to disengage the friction' clutch I4I' associated with cylinder shaft 49;

During the time that plate cylinders 3I (or 32) are in printing relation with the impression cylinder 30, both the friction clutch I4I and posl- 'tive clutch I03 are engaged, and the'plate shaft 49 (or 50) is therefore revolving at full press speed due to the gearing 90, 92, associated with the positive clutch I03, having a one to one ratio. The hub I3I, on the friction clutch end of shaft 49, is therefore also, revolving at'full press speed by reason of the friction clutch I4I,

butdue to the slower speed of the gear I30 the ratchet teeth I36 on hub I3I creep ahead. of

the. driving pawl, I38 which is pivoted on gear I30. This condition is undesirable, although not functionally impractical if a springpressed pawl.

were used, and means have therefore been incorporated in the mechanism whereby the pawl I38 may be thrown out of engagement with the ratchet teeth I36 as soon as shaft 49 has reached full press speed and thrown into' engagement again as soon as the speed of shaft 49 drops below the speed of gear I30. As embodied, the outer portion I40 of hub I3I has aflixed thereto a collar I65, the reduced portion I66 of which carries a friction member I6'I inv the form of an interrupted ring, and this friction ring I61 is operatively connected to the pawl I38 by a'link I66. Thus; if the hub I3I and itsattached collar I rotate faster than gear I30 and pawl I38, the friction'ming I61, which ,tends to move at the speed of collar I65,'wil1 push the pawl I36 out of engagement with ratchet teeth I36 to a distance limited by a stop pin I69 affixed in gear I30.

From then on the friction ring I 61 revolves at.

the speed of gear I30 while the collar I65 continues to revolve at the faster speed ofthe hub Conversely, when the positive clutch I03 is I3I. disengaged and the speed of shaft 49 falls below the speed of gear I30, the friction ring I61 will tend to rotate in the opposite direction to that just described and will therefore pull. the pawl 'I38 into engagement with the ratchet teeth I 36. The single control means whereby the various clutches on the plate cylinder shafts 49 and 60 are engaged anddisengaged in proper-sequence is constituted by the cam shaft I23 and cams I26, I26, I62 and I62, and means are provided for rotating the cam shaft I 23 in a specific manner to accomplish the desired function. As embodied,

the lower end of cam shaft I23 has secured thereon a worm gear I15 which is adapted to be driven by a worm I16 journaled in a housing III which is formed as part of the frame bracket I21.

The shaft N8 of the worm "6 extends outside of the housing I11 and has securedthereon a crank handle I19 (see Figs. 11 and 12). Detent means are provided for arresting the rotation of cam shaft I23 at three predetermined points and releasing it for further .rotation when desired. As embodied, a spring pressed finger I is slidably mounted in the worm gear housing I" and adapted to seat itself in one of three recesses I8I, I32,v I83, which are formed in the side face jof the wormgear "5 and, when so seated, prevent the rotation of the gear. A handle I 84, fixed onthe external end of finger I80 permits the and fixed upon finger to be retracted from whichever recess it may be in and thereby free'the worm gear I16 for rotation by crank I19. when the worm gear has been rotated a small'amount the finger handle I84 is released and the finger I89, being urged inwardly by its spring, rides along the face of the worm gear until it registers with another of the recesses I9I, I82, or I83 when it then drops in and arrests further rotation of the cam shaft I23 until it is ,again manually released by retraction of finger I89.

Interlock means are provided between the mechanism which shifts the plate cylinders 3i,

, 32 into and out of printing position and the mechanism consisting of the cams I26, I26, I62, I62 which connect and disconnect the drive for the plate cylinders, whereby the steps of opera- I of spring plunger: 293 mounted within the cylinder. A cam finger 234, pivoted on the plate "I '18 adapted, when swung outwardly, 'to retract clamp plate 2" and so release the printing plate I" for replacement by a newplate. In' the form each set of printing cylinders 3I. or 32. As embodied, a pair of counting devices A and B may tion necessary in shifting the impression from one set of cylinders to the other may only be performed in the correct sequence and the proper direction. As embodied, the end l88 of the cross rod I3, which operates the eccentrics 5|, is extended outwardly from the side frame 34 to a pointalmost over the cam shaft I23 and has secured thereon a lever arm I89. Pivotally attached to the end of the arm I89 is an interlock 2I4 which carries a gear 2I5 meshing'with a bar I99 which isienlarged at its lower end I9I and provided with a slot I92 by means of which the 7 bar is guided and supported on the cam shaft I23 which projects through the slot I92. Pro- ,iecting from one face of the enlarged portion I9I.

of interlock'bar I99 at either end thereof is a pair of arcuate stop lugs I93, I94 which are so spaced and proportioned as to cooperatein a specific manner, tobe described, with a substantially semi-circular stop plate I95 which is keyed hub I96. a The operation of the interlock mechanism ma be apprehended from a study of Figures 7, 8, 9 and 19. In Figure '7 it will be observed that impression shifting rod I3 cannot be rotated due to the position of stop plate I95 which is in the spur gear 2| 6 having a clutch member 2I I formed thereof. A second helical gear222; having the same pitch diameter as gear 22I is fixed upon the extended end of. the impression cylinder shaft 36 the cam shaft I23 by meansof its lock bar lever I89, which is carried on the end of impression shifting rod I3. L

Thus, it will be seen, that either counter A or counter B will be driven in timed relation to im-' pression cylinder 39 as each is connected'in turn thereto by its clutch, and the position of sliding clutch member 2", determined by whichever path of movement of lugs I93, I94, and the stop plate I95, in turn; can only be rotated counterclockwise, the correct direction in this case, dueplate cylinder is in impression position, automatically selects the proper counter for recording its impresions.

The operation of the mechanism is as follows:

. As shown in the drawings the printing cylsequence of necessary movements is the rotation of cam shaft I23 in a counter-clockwise direction until the leading edgeof stop plate I95 strikes the stop lug I94 (see Fig. 8). The interlock bar I99 is now free to be moved, thereby permitting the rotation of rod I3 by impression shifting handle I2, whichmovement shifts also the position of the interlock bar I99 so that lug I94 no longer blocks the' rotation of stop plate I95 (see Figure 9). Stop plate I95 and cam shaft I23 are now free for rotation, again only in the correct direction, until they are brought to a stop in their'final position by the leading edge of stop plate I95 striking the lug I93 (see Figure 19). It

.is obvious that a. reversal of these movements will permit a shift of impression contacts in the reby a spring pressed plate'29I whichis guided and supported on the cylinder 3I by a groqved inders 3I are in printing contact with impression cylinder 39 and the web W and being driven thereby at full printing speed, while the plate cylinders 32 are stationary and assumed to be newly plated and ready for being shifted into impression position. when the operator is ready to shift impression he first retracts the stop finger I33 by handle I64 to unlock the cam shaft I23. Hethen turns crank II9to rotate the cam shaft I23 this can be turned only inone direction due to the position of the interlock bar I99. .The first part of the rotation of cam shaft I23, for example degrees, causes the cam I62 toactuate the lever I63 associated with cylinder shaft 63 and thereby engage the friction clutch m on that shaft. The slow" gear m is thereby caused, through its pawl and ratchet I38 and I 36, to gradually transmit its motion to the cylinder shaft II and cylinders 32 which gradually but rapidly attain a speed almost that of the printing plate P. The other edge of the plate I a is adaptedto be held in position on the cylinder printing 1 The continuing rotation of cam shaft I23 next causes cam I26 to actuate the cam rod III which is associated with cylinder shaft -63.- The spring Ill on the end of rod II'I rocks the forked lever I66 to the right. (Fig. 5)

and moves the clutch member I63 into engaging position. .If the clutchrecess II" is not yet in register with clutch tooth I the spring H8 is compressed by the full movement of rod I I'Land the slightly faster rotating tooth I00 will, within a few revolutions, finally register with the recess |0| and the clutch will engage and increase .the

speed of cylinder shaft 50 to full printing speed. The rotation of the cam shaft is arrested'just previous to, or at the instant of, the engagement of clutch I03 by the stop finger I80 dropping into the recess I82 formed in the worm gear I mounted on cam shaft I23, and this action pre-- vents the further turning of the crank. I19,

which indicates to the operator that the next step inthe cycle of operations may beinstituted. ,K At this point in the cycle of operations both I sets of plate cylinders 3| and 32 are running at full printing speed, cylinders 3| 'are still printing while cylinders 32 are still oif impression and the friction ring I61 associated with the friction clutch I on shaft 50 has disconnected the pawl .2

I38 on gear I30 from the ratchet teeth I36 on clutch huh I 3| whereby the driving connection of the slow gear I30to shaft 50 is broken leaving the slow" gear I30 to freely rotate. The

stop plate I95 on the cam shaft has now assumed the position indicated inFig. 8 and the parts are in the positions and running conditions whereby the shift of impression between cylinders 3|| and cylinders 32 may be made.

The operator now unlocks wing nut 3| on the shift handle I2 and swings the latter downwardly through an arc of approximately :90 degrees to its lowermost position where it is again locked by the wingnut 8|. This action rotates, through the turn-buckles I6, all of the eccentrics 5|,-in

. two of which shaft is joumaled, the remaining two serving as journals for the shaft 40. Due to the particular positioning of the eccentricity of the two pairs of eccentricsil and their angular relationship witl'r thearcuate movement of the shift handle I2, their simultaneous movement first causes the plate cylinders 3| to be shifted off impression and finally brings cylinders 32 into printing position on impression cylinder 30. The printing has now been shifted I from the one set of cylinders 3| to the other set 32. v

At the completion of the shifting operation the interlock bar I90 assumes the position indicated in Fig. 9 and th'ecam shaft I23 is thereby released forfurther rotation whereby the drive to the cylinders 3|, which are no longer printing,

, may be disconnected, and this is accomplished as follows:

The operator retracts the stop finger I from therecess I82 in worm gear I15 and rotates the crank I19 in the same direction it was previously turned (the'only direction-possible due to'th'e position of the interlock bar I) and this action causes, first, the disengagement of positive clutch I03 on cylinder shaft 49 by the cam I23, and finally, the disengagement of the frictionclutch |4| on the same shaft by the cam I62, thereby The plate cylinders 3| are now freely rotating I under their own momentum and may be brought to rest by the operation of either or both brake handles 58 associated with thesecylinders. When the cylinders have been brought to rest the plates- P may be removed'and others substituted, whereupon the entire mechanism is ready tobe re-- ders 32, and this shift may be made by a reversal of the operations just described.

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific mechanisms shown and de-' scribed but departures may be made'therefrom within the scope of the accompanying claims without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advanta'ges.

What-I claim is: I

In a non-stop rotary fudge press, the com-. bination of a pair of rotary plate cylinders, an impression .cylinder, means for driving the m pression cylinder and alternatively driving the plate cylinder, the driving means for each, plate cylinder including an overrunning clutch and a positive clutch having a definite engaging position to drive the plate cylinder in register with the impression cylinder, means for engaging and disengaging each of said clutches, a common means for sequentially operating all of the clutch operating means, means for alternately moving the plate cylinders into and out of printing engagement with the impression cylinder, and interlock means interconnecting the common means and the clutch operating means preventing movement of the plate cylinders except when .one of the positive clutches is engaged.

. 2. In a non-stop rotary fudge press, the compositive clutch, means for engaging and disengaging each of said clutches, a common means for sequentially operating all of .the clutch operating means, means for alternately moving the plate cylinders into and out of printing engagement with the impression cylinder, and interlock means interconnecting the common means and the clutch operating means preventing movement driving its cylinder slightly faster than the freewheeling clutch, means for sequentially engaging and disengaging the clutches in a definite order,

means for alternately moving the plate cylinders into and out of impression relation with respect to the impression means, and means inter- V connecting the sequentially operating means and plate cylinder moving means for preventing movement of the plate cylinder except when one of the plate cylinders is positively driven.

4, In a non-stop rotary fudge press. the com- I bination of a pairof rotary plate cylinders, an 7 -impression cylinder toLcooperate witirthe plate cylinders alternately-driving means for the cylinders including an overrunning clutch and a positive clutch for each plate cylinder, an operating means for each clutch, and a rotary shafthavin'g cams thereon for shifting said operating means, the cams being arranged for sequential operation or the clutches by rotation of the shaft.

5. In a non-stop rotary fudge press, the combination of a pair of rotary plate cylinders, an impression cylinder to cooperate with the plate cylinders alternately, driving means for the cylinders including an overrunning clutch and a positive clutch for each plate cylinder, an operating means for each clutch, anda rotary shaft having cams thereon for shifting said operating means, the cams being arranged for sequential operation of the clutches by rotation of the shaft, means for moving the printing cylinders into and out of printing relation to the impression cylinder, and blocking means actuated by the cam shaft and controlling movement of the printing cylinders for preventing movement of the printing cylinders in certain positions of the cam shaft.

'6.- In a non-stop rotary fudge press, the combination of a pair of rotary plate cylinders, impression means cooperating with said, cylinders alternately, driving means, positive clutches for coupling each cylinder to the driving means,

means 'for driving each cylinder from the driving means at a slower speed, means for sequentially engaging and disengaging the several driving means in a predetermined order, means for moving the plate cylinders into alternate engagement with the impression means and means interconnecting the plate cylinder moving means and the sequential engaging means for preventing movement of the plate cylinder except when one of the plate cylinders is positively driven.

.7. In a non-stop rotary fudge press, the combination of a pair of rotary plate cylinders, an impression cylinder, means for driving the impression cylinder and alternatively driving the plate cylinders, the driving means for each plate cylinder including an overrunning clutch and a positive clutch, and a common means for operating all of the clutches in a predetermined sequence.

8. In a non-stop rotary fudge press, the combination of a pair of rotary plate cylinders, an impression cylinder, means for driving the impression cylinder and alternatively driving the plate cylinders, the driving means for each plate cylinder including an over-running clutch and a positive clutch, a common means for operating all of the clutches, means for alternately moving the plate cylinders into printing relation to the impression cylinder and means, preventing movement of the plate cylinder moving means except when one of the plate cylinders is in printing relation to the impression cylinder.

9. In a rotary printing press, the combination of a pair of plate cylinders, impression means, means for alternately moving the plate cylinders into cooperation with the impression means, a clutch for each plate cylinder through which it is driven, common means for operating the clutches and means preventing movement of the plate cylinder moving means except when the clutch operating means is in certain positions.

CURTIS S. CRAFTS. 

